Apprenticeship update

Many of you will remember that this time last year, we selected our end point assessor organisation (EAL, part of the Enginuity group) for our new Compressed Air and Vacuum Technician apprenticeship, meaning employers could begin enrolling candidates from as early as September.

Since then, we were delighted to start working with Semester Learning and Development (Semester), also the first provider in the UK to run the apprenticeship -with apprentices enrolled and ongoing interest from across the industry.

"Following conversations with the BCAS Training and Development Committee, we could see the value that the CAVT apprenticeship would offer. In particular, how it could meet the urgent market requirement to develop specific skills related to compressed and vacuum systems," said Scott Margison, managing director of Semester. 

"We are therefore proud to be the first training provider to offer the new CAVT apprenticeship and are working with our apprentices as they progress through the variety of modules. Our online delivery means that they can work flexibly, and at a pace which fits around their work schedule.

"Apprentices benefit from a dedicated course tutor, alongside individual subject experts and an NVQ assessor."

During the three-year apprenticeship, candidates will learn how to commission compressed air and/or vacuum equipment and their associated systems, alongside service and maintenance, fault diagnosis, repair and system optimisation.

The course will also include the development of transferrable skills, which can be provided via BCAS training courses including working safely with compressed air and compressed air treatment technology to name a few.

The final two years will be more focused on developing the key engineering skills required by the industry, including installation, commissioning, service and repair of compressed air and vacuum systems.

To learn more about the CAVT apprenticeship and to view the full occupational standard, visit elearning.bcas.org.uk/compressed-air-and-vacuum-technician-cavt/

New ISO 11011 set to launch

Watch this space as we are about to launch a new, blended learning course via our eLearning platform for ISO 11011 – the standard for assessing the energy efficiency of compressed air systems and therefore its running costs.

ISO 11011 was produced and published with input from BCAS and subsequently developed and adopted as the European Standard EN ISO 11011. 
The standard identifies the roles and responsibilities of those involved in the assessment and it considers compressed air systems as three functional subsystems:

• Supply, which includes the conversion of the primary energy source to compressed air energy
• Transmission, which includes the movement of compressed air energy from where it is generated to where it is used
• Demand, which includes the total of all compressed air consumers for both end use applications and compressed air waste

This approach provides a structured framework for data analysis, reporting and documenting any findings. It identifies the estimated energy savings as a result of the assessment and thus a clear means of reducing your costs.

It also identifies the methodologies used for such an assessment, which might include observation and research, spot check measurements and/or data logging – including dynamic and trend.

To find out more about this latest course from BCAS, please email [email protected]

Training update

We have released some further training courses recently, designed to help engineers – and compressed air end users stay abreast of the latest industry best practice.

• Understanding breathing air

This new online learning course takes just one hour to complete, followed by a 20-minute online test.  The course guides candidates through the breathing air regulations and the provision of breathable air to be used by a person in the execution of a work-related task. A full understanding of standards BS EN 12021 and the legal requirements are vital.

• ISO 8573-1 – The air quality standard

This blended learning workshop will guide you through each part of ISO 8573, the air quality standard.

A full understanding of ISO 8573 is vital before any decisions on equipment selection and testing methods are undertaken. This course therefore explains the importance of considering all parts of a compressed air system, whether you are a supplier, consultant, service provider, or user of compressed air.

The course provides a tutorial to help you understand where these contaminants come from, how they can affect compressed air systems and how they are best removed – as well as the difference between indicative testing and air quality verification.

Learners complete a self-study e-learning module followed by a virtual classroom with our expert to help cement learning, dispel myths and understand the most frequently asked questions. The course is completed with an online examination.

It's proving to be a very popular course, especially for production managers and their staff who need to have a good understanding of the importance of air quality in the production environment

• Working safely with compressed air

This course continues to be as popular as ever, with hundreds of compressed air users already completing the online learning. 

To make users aware of safe working practices, we developed this course in conjunction with safety practitioners in the field. It helps fulfil employers' health and safety obligations and provide evidence, by means of the online assessment, that the individual has understood safe working practices and their responsibilities. 

25% discount on training

It's also worth remembering that customers of BCAS members are entitled to an exclusive 25% discount off the full range of CPD-approved training courses.  Simply speak to your BCAS member or to one of the team at BCAS before booking your training. Once set up you can then visit e-learning.bcas.org.uk/ where you will be able to select from the full range of courses – all with 25% discount!

By taking advantage of the exclusive discount, you'll also receive free associate membership of BCAS, offering you a host of additional benefits, including discounted publications, as well as access to compressed air guidelines and the society’s social events.

Vanda Jones is executive director, British Compressed Air Society (BCAS) 

www.bcas.org.uk

Tel: 020 7935 2464